Shelby Read and McKenzie Reed celebrate after the Jackson Town Council unanimously passed a nondiscrimination ordinance following its third reading Monday evening at Town Hall. The ordinance makes Jackson the second town in Wyoming to enact such a law, following Laramie's adoption in May 2015.

Nondiscrimination ordinance passes Town Council

Shelby Read and McKenzie Reed celebrate after the Jackson Town Council unanimously passed a nondiscrimination ordinance following its third reading Monday evening at Town Hall. The ordinance makes Jackson the second town in Wyoming to enact such a law, following Laramie's adoption in May 2015.

It is now illegal in Jackson to discriminate against another person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Dozens from around Wyoming crammed into the Town Council chambers this evening, filling seats and lining the walls, spilling out into the lobby. Before this throng of about 75 people, the council tied the knot on the nondiscrimination ordinance, outlawing unequal treatment of LGBTQ people regarding housing, employment or public accommodation.

“I’m impressed by and proud of our community for coming together and showing empathy and compassion for everyone,” Mayor Pete Muldoon said after a unanimous vote. “It makes me really happy to live in Jackson right now.”

Of 25 or so public commenters, about five opposed the ban on discrimination, most arguing it violated their First Amendment right to freedom of religion and association. Others denounced it as a “special privilege” for one group, and as a potential means of discrimination against Christians.

But the majority praised the law as an important message of inclusion, and a much-needed protection for a group that they argue remains marginalized in the Equality State.

“I’m looking forward to the day … when this ordinance is completely useless,” Muldoon said. “But we need it today, and I’m happy to support it today.”

A comment on this thread has been removed. We welcome all comments that comply with our commenting policy. Please turn off caps lock and no personal attacks. See the policy below. - JHNG Audience Engagement Producer

So I’d just like to say this , if there is a law that say I /we have to Accommodate one Specific group of people and have no right to choose then it should be the same for people who Oppose this kind of life style. I personally don’t care what you do behind closed doors just don’t infringe on my right to speak out on your sexual choice. Now I know so many people will say I/we need to tolerate this action, I guess we should the tolerate drunks, Pedophiles and all other issues that people identify themselves as. So I stand for the people who apose this , not because I’m a homophobe but because if they have special rights then I should have them also.. where are my rights and who’s sticking up for the people who apose being sexually confused. ?

For those perusing the comments, I just want to make sure that we remember that Jeff Larson is also the same person who commented: "Homosexuals are disturbed people, they should never be be viewed as anythIng otherwise." This is a small town, Jeff. Bigotry is never rewarded. (Also, what is it with Jeffs?)

Maybe It's jeff's that still have some common sense. I'm fine with gay people i have good friends that are gay. But i'm not fine with a man saying he's a woman and walking in a restroom were there's little girls are at. Some stuff is just wrong and a man walking in to a restroom were young girls or at is WRONG!!!!!!!!!!

Your not fighting for my rights. I still have enough sense to use the right restroom and know who and what sex i am. A man is a man a woman is a woman. If you want to be gay that one thing and your right but this whole you can identify as something you are not and be able to use restrooms and other places were young people girls are boys are is a whole other thing. People saying they're some other race than they are if you are black you are black if you are white you are white you can't change that. But now a days if you want to say you are from Mars you expect people to give you special treatment and just let you do what ever you think is right. Come on thats just plain stupid and not right. Being gay is one thing. Being stupid is another.